Celiac is a disorder where when someone takes in gluten and their immune system responds by attacking the small intestine. The small intestine is lined with small, finger like things called villi. When the immune system responds to the gluten, it damages the villi, which promote nutrient absorption. Without properly functioning villi, the body does not get the nutrition it needs for cell functions. Celiac is also hereditary, meaning that it is passed down through the family DNA.
Symptoms
Unexplained iron anemia
fatigue (the feeling of tiredness)
joint pain
arthritis
bone loss
numbness in the hands and feet (the "falling asleep" feeling)
depression
anxiety
seizures
migraines
infertility (the inability of conceiving a child)
recurring miscarriages
irregular menstrual cycle
sores inside the mouth
itchy skin rash (dermatitis herpetiformis)
For a checklist of symptoms visit the checklist provided by the celiac foundation.
Treatment
Celiac is not a disease that you can grow out of or cure with medication. Most patients who have celiac are placed on a gluten free diet. A few foods that doctors suggest you put in your shopping cart when on a gluten free diet are:
spinach
walnuts
free range turkey
free range chicken
bell peppers
garlic
broccoli
Molecular Basis
As previously mentioned in the introduction, when glucose is taken in, an immune response is triggered and the villi of the small intestine are attacked. Since the villi are responsible for the absorption of nutrience, when celiac is left untreated it can lead to deficiencies such as iron anemia. The picture on the right shows the difference between healthy villi and villi affected by celiac disease.
Video
More more information, check out this youtube video:
Celiac Disease
By Rachel JuristyTable of Contents
Introduction
Celiac is a disorder where when someone takes in gluten and their immune system responds by attacking the small intestine. The small intestine is lined with small, finger like things called villi. When the immune system responds to the gluten, it damages the villi, which promote nutrient absorption. Without properly functioning villi, the body does not get the nutrition it needs for cell functions. Celiac is also hereditary, meaning that it is passed down through the family DNA.Symptoms
For a checklist of symptoms visit the checklist provided by the celiac foundation.
Treatment
Celiac is not a disease that you can grow out of or cure with medication. Most patients who have celiac are placed on a gluten free diet. A few foods that doctors suggest you put in your shopping cart when on a gluten free diet are:Molecular Basis
As previously mentioned in the introduction, when glucose is taken in, an immune response is triggered and the villi of the small intestine are attacked. Since the villi are responsible for the absorption of nutrience, when celiac is left untreated it can lead to deficiencies such as iron anemia. The picture on the right shows the difference between healthy villi and villi affected by celiac disease.Video
More more information, check out this youtube video:Works cited
http://www.drperlmutter.com/eat/list-of-gluten-free-foods/celiac.orgceliac.org
http://www.thesavvyceliac.com/2008/12/08/survey-reveals-top-symptoms-for-undiagnosed-celiac-disease/